Welding is a pretty challenging career, however, it is a rewarding one.
Moreover, there’s good demand for welders in Oregon.
To work as a welder, you’ll first have to train and we have a list of schools in Oregon where you can do just that.
This article will provide you with some extra useful information about the job.
What is Welding?
Some people may not know what welding or what the professional must do.
In welding, you heat and melt metals with the purpose of joining them together.
You must know how to use a variety of tools and methods to complete the task.
Welding Methods
There are more than 100 welding methods.
Choosing one over another is done based on the project at hand and the type of metals needing fusion.
Welders’ Abilities
To become a welder you need more than a diploma.
Good welders can be described as:
- Detail-oriented
- Strong
- Having dexterity
- Physical stamina
- Spatial-orientation skills
- Technical skills
The Median Salary in Oregon
In Oregon, welders earn on average $39,375 annually.
This sum is close to the average welder salary in the United States of $39,533 per year.
The best paid welders in the state make about $45,236, which is also very close to the national welders’ annual income of $45,418.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Certified Welders in Oregon
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $41,320 |
| Eugene | $38,802 |
| Salem | $39,182 |
| Gresham | $41,268 |
| Beaverton | $41,320 |
| Hillsboro | $41,189 |
| Medford | $36,647 |
| Springfield | $38,300 |
| Bend | $38,156 |
| Corvallis | $38,538 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | 280 | $56,440 | $27.14 | $75,300 | $39,030 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | 180 | $52,030 | $25.02 | $68,270 | $39,170 |
| Eugene, OR | 540 | $47,430 | $22.8 | $59,840 | $37,090 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 70 | $45,720 | $21.98 | $57,710 | $36,770 |
| Medford, OR | 180 | $49,770 | $23.93 | $63,460 | $37,960 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 3,120 | $55,980 | $26.91 | $72,550 | $40,630 |
| Salem, OR | 480 | $49,180 | $23.64 | $60,510 | $37,960 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Working as a Welder in Oregon
In Oregon, certified welders are needed in several industries.
These are the most common of them:
- Construction of buildings and bridges
- Auto & motorcycle fabrication and repair
- Gas & oil field power plants and refineries
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace applications
- Shipbuilding
Top Welding Training Schools in Oregon
It’s not always easy to find a reliable school for a welding certification.
We researched them and put them in a table for you.
13 Welding Schools in Oregon
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Blue Mountain Community College | 2411 NW Carden Ave Pendleton, OR 97801 |
| Chemeketa Community College | 4000 Lancaster Dr NE Salem, OR 97305 |
| Clackamas Community College | 19600 Molalla Ave Oregon City, OR 97045 |
| Clatsop Community College | 1651 Lexington Avenue Astoria, OR 97103 |
| Klamath Community College | 7390 South Sixth Street Klamath Falls, OR 97603 |
| Lane Community College | 4000 E 30th Ave Eugene, OR 97405 |
| Linn-Benton Community College | 6500 Pacific Blvd SW Albany, OR 97321 |
| Mt Hood Community College | 26000 SE Stark St Gresham, OR 97030 |
| Portland Community College | 12000 SW 49th Avenue Portland, OR 97219 |
| Rogue Community College | 3345 Redwood Hwy Grants Pass, OR 97527 |
| Southwestern Oregon Community College | 1988 Newmark Ave Coos Bay, OR 97420 USA |
| Treasure Valley Community College | 650 College Blvd, Ontario, OR 97914 |
| Umpqua Community College | 1140 Umpqua College Rd. Roseburg, OR 97470 |
The information above could be dated, so we recommend you do more research.
Alternative Careers
Maybe you already know how to weld and are wondering what else can you do with your skills and qualification.
Do know that there are some other career paths you can look into.
Here they are:
- Sheet metal worker
- Boilermaker
- Pipe or steamfitter
- Brazing or soldering
- Plumber
Conclusion
Hopefully now you know more about welding as an occupation and where can you get trained, if you need it.
While deciding on a career path is not something very easy, we hope you’ll start training as a welder soon.
Welding Schools by City
This page is also available in Spanish.
